Blog - Preventing Brain Injuries

Preventing brain injuries, particularly traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), is crucial as they can have profound and lasting effects on an individual's life. Prevention strategies focus on reducing the risk of impacts to the head and protecting the brain from internal forces. Here's a comprehensive look at how to prevent brain injuries, often categorized by common causes:

1. Preventing Falls (Leading Cause of TBIs, especially in the very young and older adults):

• For Children:

  • Supervision: Always supervise young children, especially around stairs, playgrounds, and elevated surfaces.

  • Home Safety: Install safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs. Use window guards to prevent falls from open windows. Secure heavy furniture and TVs to the wall to prevent tip-overs.

  • Playground Safety: Ensure playgrounds have soft, shock-absorbing surfaces (e.g., rubber mulch, sand, wood chips) under equipment.

• For Older Adults:

  • Home Modifications:

    • Remove tripping hazards: Clear clutter from floors and stairs (e.g., throw rugs, cords, books).

    • Improve lighting: Ensure all areas, especially staircases, are well-lit.

    • Install grab bars: In bathrooms (next to toilets, in showers/tubs) and handrails on both sides of staircases.

    • Use non-slip mats: In bathtubs and showers.

  • Personal Health:

    • Regular vision check-ups: Keep eyeglasses prescriptions up-to-date.

    • Medication review: Discuss all medications (prescription, over-the-counter, supplements) with a doctor or pharmacist to identify those that might cause dizziness or drowsiness.

    • Exercise: Engage in strength and balance exercises (e.g., Tai Chi, yoga) to improve stability and leg strength.

    • Footwear: Wear supportive, non-slip shoes both indoors and outdoors.

2. Road Safety (Motor Vehicle Crashes, Pedestrian Accidents, Cycling Accidents):

• Seat Belts: Always wear a seat belt when driving or riding in a vehicle. Ensure children are properly secured in age and weight-appropriate car seats or booster seats in the back seat.

• Avoid Impaired Driving: Never drive under the influence of alcohol, recreational drugs, or prescription medications that can impair your ability to drive.

• Distracted Driving: Avoid using phones, tablets, or other smart devices while driving, walking, or crossing the street.

• Pedestrian Safety:

  • Obey traffic signs and signals.

  • Look left, right, and left again before crossing the street.

  • Always cross at crosswalks or corners.

  • Walk on sidewalks. If no sidewalk is available, walk facing traffic.

  • Make eye contact with drivers before crossing.

  • Wear bright clothing or retro-reflective materials, especially at dusk or night, to increase visibility.

• Cycling/Motorcycle/ATV Safety:

  • Always wear a properly fitted, CSA-approved helmet. Helmets significantly reduce the risk of serious brain and head injuries, though they don't prevent all concussions.

  • Follow traffic laws and use appropriate hand signals.

  • Ride on the right side of the road with traffic.

  • Be visible: Use lights and reflective gear, especially at night.

3. Sports and Recreational Activities:

• Helmets and Protective Gear: Wear appropriate and properly fitted helmets for activities such as:

  • Cycling, skateboarding, inline skating, scootering

  • Motorcycling, snowmobiling, ATV riding

  • Contact sports (football, hockey, rugby, boxing)

  • Skiing, snowboarding

  • Baseball (batting and base running)

  • Horseback riding

  • Other protective gear like wrist guards, knee pads, elbow pads, and mouthguards should also be used as appropriate for the sport.

• Follow Rules and Guidelines: Adhere to safety rules and guidelines for all sports and recreational activities.

• Concussion Protocols: If a concussion is suspected, remove the athlete from play immediately. They should not return to play until cleared by a healthcare professional following established concussion protocols (e.g., Canadian Guideline on Concussion in Sport). This is critical to prevent second impact syndrome and reduce the risk of long-term complications.

• Proper Technique: Learn and practice the correct techniques for each sport to minimize injury risk.

• Supervision: Ensure children are properly supervised during sports and recreational activities.

• Equipment Maintenance: Regularly inspect and maintain sports equipment to ensure it is in good working order.

4. Preventing Other Types of Brain Injuries:

• Violence Prevention:

  • Address root causes of violence in communities.

  • Promote healthy relationships and intervene in domestic violence situations.

  • Implement responsible firearm storage and safety practices.

• Workplace Safety: Adhere to workplace safety regulations, especially in occupations with a risk of head injury (e.g., construction, manufacturing). Use required personal protective equipment (PPE) like hard hats.

• Water Safety: Prevent drowning and near-drowning incidents, which can lead to brain injury due to lack of oxygen. Supervise children around water, and learn CPR.

By being aware of the common causes of brain injuries and taking proactive steps in various aspects of daily life, individuals can significantly reduce their risk and contribute to a safer environment for everyone. In Canada, organizations like Brain Injury Canada and Parachute are key resources for brain injury prevention information and initiatives.